Acts of service

When Olive and Hazel accompany us on our weekly ‘milkshake visit’ to Gramps at his seniors lodge, the girls are quite popular amongst the residents who don’t get much exposure to the youth.

This week as an elderly man in a wheel chair yelled for Hazel to read to him, he was quite taken aback when she stopped and obliged his request. 

Ten minutes and three ‘board-books’ later, both Hazel and the man were grinning ear to ear, clearly the best part of both their days.

There is something wholesome, fulfilling and necessary about acts of service. By focusing outside of ourselves, the ego seems to forget self-loathing, personal-pity, and all the other traits of a victim’s mindset. 

Focusing energy on helping others or working toward a cause bigger than oneself has a way of lifting spirits, and is the true antidote to depression. 

Watching Hazel in action was a reminder that the best way to receive is through the act of giving. It is time to schedule more of these moments onto the calendar. 

• Now that’s a peak ethos.